PHILADELPHIA – Jose Reyes is off crutches – and off the active roster.

The Mets announced yesterday that their 20-year-old phenom has been placed on the 15-day disabled list and would not be back in the last week of the season.

“He’s finished for the year,” manager Art Howe said.

The rookie shortstop suffered a Grade 2 sprain of his left ankle trying to break up a double play at the end of a 4-1 loss to the Phillies Sunday. Howe and the front office made the decision “just so he doesn’t have any inkling of coming back to play.”

The move will be made retroactive to Sept. 1, and Howe said Reyes might be moved to the 60-day DL to open up a 40-man roster spot. Outfielder Matt Watson will probably be the person added.

Reyes feels better, but it was pretty apparent that he was through when team physician Andrew Rokito recommended a few days ago that he sit for at least three weeks.

“He’s still a long way away,” Howe said.

The cornerstone of the future had a solid rookie season, hitting .307 with 47 runs scored and 32 RBIs in 69 games. He hit five homers, and described the highlight of his season the grand slam he crushed June 15 at Anaheim. It was his first major-league homer. Overall, he thought he performed well.

“I’m happy I finished strong,” he said. “I worked hard the whole season.

“The first four or five weeks were hard for me. After that, I worked every day with the hitting coach and on my fielding. I feel more confident after that.”

Reyes will go to Port St. Lucie for Instructional League and hopes to play winter ball in the Dominican Republic.

* Ty Wigginton, in a 3-for-30 slump, did not play. Jeff Duncan played instead of Prentice Redman – who homered in the ninth Thursday night – and struck out his first three trips.

It wasn’t a good night for third baseman Jay Bell, either. While chasing a foul popup from Chase Utley in the fifth, Bell did a header down the steps of the Mets dugout and broke his glasses. It appeared that Bell tripped on the lip of the steps leading into the dugout, landing on his face.